Challenging Experience Due to Dysfunctional Management and Toxic Culture
Pros
The Operations team was the only consistently competent and supportive group I worked with. • Benefits were presented as great, though in practice they were limited — two weeks of PTO and below-average health coverage. • If you’re someone who prefers not to question leadership or challenge the status quo, you’ll fit in well.
Cons
I spent a year at Goettle as the IT Manager, and it was one of the most challenging professional experiences I’ve had. Despite being hired to lead the IT department, my role was frequently undermined by the Business Development Manager, who consistently inserted himself into projects, disrupted workflows, and contributed little to no value. This created a chaotic environment where meaningful progress was nearly impossible. I made multiple attempts to seek support from leadership, including the CFO and the President of Operations, but was repeatedly told to “manage up.” Despite voicing serious concerns, nothing changed — and leadership continually backed the Business Development Manager. This lack of accountability left me without the tools, authority, or support necessary to succeed in my role. Worse, the Business Development Manager routinely made inappropriate comments about the physical appearance of female employees. These remarks created an uncomfortable and unprofessional atmosphere and were never addressed by leadership. It was clear that personal relationships at the top were prioritized over ethics, respect, and team well-being. Ultimately, Goettle appeared focused solely on production with little interest in fostering a healthy work culture or empowering its people. Unless there is a major shift in leadership values and structure, I believe others will continue to face the same frustrations and toxic dynamics.
